Houston sports in the 1990s

The 1990s was in many ways an era that defined Houston sports. The Rockets won their two NBA Championships; the Oilers saw some of their greatest successes early in the decade before leaving town completely; the Astros fielded perhaps their most popular squads ever and the Astrodome played host to its final NFL and MLB games.

By John Boyd

on November 29, 2013 1:43 PM

Photo: Allsport USA/Getty Images

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The Rockets of the 1990s

The Rockets were Houston's team of the decade, winning back-to-back NBA Finals in 1994 and 1995. Here, center Hakeem Olajuwon of the Rockets and Orlando Magic center Shaquille O''Neal go up for the ball during a Finals game at The Summit in 1995. less

The Rockets were Houston's team of the decade, winning back-to-back NBA Finals in 1994 and 1995. Here, center Hakeem Olajuwon of the Rockets and Orlando Magic center Shaquille O''Neal go up for the ball during ... more

Photo: Getty Images

The Rockets were Houston's team of the decade, winning... Photo-5585330.75905 - Houston Chronicle

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Rockets coach Rudy '"T" Tomnajovich responds to questions from reporters prior to a Game 7 NBA Finals win in 1994.

Rockets coach Rudy '"T" Tomnajovich responds to questions from reporters prior to a Game 7 NBA Finals win in 1994.

Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon gets mobbed by teammate Clyde Drexler (R) and Charlie Jones (C) June 7 after Olajuwon hit the game winning shot during game one of the NBA Championships against the Orlando Magic in the Orlando Arena. The Rockets defeated the Magic 120-118 in overtime. less

Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon gets mobbed by teammate Clyde Drexler (R) and Charlie Jones (C) June 7 after Olajuwon hit the game winning shot during game one of the NBA Championships against the Orlando Magic ... more

Houston Rockets Clyde Drexler(L) Sam Cassell(C) and Robert Horry celebrate their teams victory over the Orlando Magic June 11, 1995 in game three of the NBA Final at the Summit in Houston. Houston won the game 106-103 to take a 3-0 lead in the best of seven series. less

Houston Rockets Clyde Drexler(L) Sam Cassell(C) and Robert Horry celebrate their teams victory over the Orlando Magic June 11, 1995 in game three of the NBA Final at the Summit in Houston. Houston won the game ... more

Ernest Givins #81 of the Houston Oilers runs with the ball after a catch against the Indianapolis Colts at the Hoosier Dome on September 4, 1994 in Indianapolis, Ind. The Colts defeated the Oilers 45-21.

Ernest Givins #81 of the Houston Oilers runs with the ball after a catch against the Indianapolis Colts at the Hoosier Dome on September 4, 1994 in Indianapolis, Ind. The Colts defeated the Oilers 45-21.

Running back Eddie George of the Houston Oilers (right) tries to run with the ball past defensive back Omar Stoutmire of the Dallas Cowboys during a game at Texas Stadium in Irving. The Oilers won the game 27-14. less

Running back Eddie George of the Houston Oilers (right) tries to run with the ball past defensive back Omar Stoutmire of the Dallas Cowboys during a game at Texas Stadium in Irving. The Oilers won the game ... more

Wide receiver Willie Davis #86 of the Houston Oilers dives with defensive back Willie Williams of the Steelers during the Oilers 30-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Wide receiver Willie Davis #86 of the Houston Oilers dives with defensive back Willie Williams of the Steelers during the Oilers 30-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Quarterback Warren Moon #1 of the Oilers is injured during a game and helped off the field.

Quarterback Warren Moon #1 of the Oilers is injured during a game and helped off the field.

Photo: Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

Quarterback Warren Moon #1 of the Oilers is injured during a game... Photo-5585373.75905 - Houston Chronicle

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Head coach Jack Pardee of the Houston Oilers hugs kicker Al Del Greco #3 and punter Greg Montgomery #9 after their victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on December 25, 1993 in San Francisco, Calif. The Oilers defeated the 49ers 10-7. less

Head coach Jack Pardee of the Houston Oilers hugs kicker Al Del Greco #3 and punter Greg Montgomery #9 after their victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on December 25, 1993 in San Francisco, ... more

Running back Rodney Thomas #20 of the Houston Oilers is hit and wrapped up by linebacker Travis Davis #45 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during a carry in the Oilers 34-27 victory over the Jaguars at Jacksonville Municiple Stadium in Jacksonville. less

Running back Rodney Thomas #20 of the Houston Oilers is hit and wrapped up by linebacker Travis Davis #45 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during a carry in the Oilers 34-27 victory over the Jaguars at Jacksonville ... more

Steve McNair (C) of Alcorn State gets a kiss from his mother, as NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue (L) watches, after McNair was picked third in the NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers April 22, 1995 in New York.

Steve McNair (C) of Alcorn State gets a kiss from his mother, as NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue (L) watches, after McNair was picked third in the NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers April 22, 1995 in New York.

Bruce Matthews #74 of the Houston Oilers prepares to snap the football to quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium on November 13, 1994 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Oilers 34-31. less

Bruce Matthews #74 of the Houston Oilers prepares to snap the football to quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium on November 13, 1994 in Cincinnati, ... more

Cornerbacks Steve Jackson #24, Richard Johnson #23 and Darryll Lewis #29 of the Houston Oilers celebrate against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Astrodome, in Houston. The Oilers defeated the Chiefs 17-7.

Cornerbacks Steve Jackson #24, Richard Johnson #23 and Darryll Lewis #29 of the Houston Oilers celebrate against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Astrodome, in Houston. The Oilers defeated the Chiefs 17-7.

For many Houston baseball fans, the players of the 1990s Astros – including Killer B's Biggio, Bagwell, Bell and Berry – will always be the quintessential Astros lineup. The 1990s concluded with the Astros playing their final game at the Astrodome in 1999. less

For many Houston baseball fans, the players of the 1990s Astros – including Killer B's Biggio, Bagwell, Bell and Berry – will always be the quintessential Astros lineup. The 1990s concluded with the Astros ... more

Photo: Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

For many Houston baseball fans, the players of the 1990s Astros –... Photo-5585382.75905 - Houston Chronicle

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Moises Alou #18 of the Houston Astros looks on while chewing bubble gum during a game against the Colorado Rockies at the Coors Field in Denver, Colo. The Rockies defeated the Astros 6-3.

Moises Alou #18 of the Houston Astros looks on while chewing bubble gum during a game against the Colorado Rockies at the Coors Field in Denver, Colo. The Rockies defeated the Astros 6-3.

A fan reaches over the dugout to shake hands with pitcher Jose Lima of the Houston Astros after game four of the National League Divisional Series October 9, 1999 at the Astrodome in Houston. The Braves won the game 7-5 to win the best-of-five game series 3-1 to advance to the NLCS against the New York Mets. less

A fan reaches over the dugout to shake hands with pitcher Jose Lima of the Houston Astros after game four of the National League Divisional Series October 9, 1999 at the Astrodome in Houston. The Braves won the ... more

Bill Spiers (R) of the Houston Astros slides in safely to score a run as teammates Craig Biggio (7) and Moises Alou (18) look on October 1, 1998 during the first inning of game two in the Division Series with the San Diego Padres in the Houston Astrodome in Houston, TX. less

Bill Spiers (R) of the Houston Astros slides in safely to score a run as teammates Craig Biggio (7) and Moises Alou (18) look on October 1, 1998 during the first inning of game two in the Division Series with ... more

The Houston Astros team swarms Bill Spiers (C) after he hit the game winning single in the bottom of the ninth against the San Diego Padres October 1, 1998 in game two of the Division series against the San Diego Padres in the Houston Astrodome in Houston. The Astros won the game 5-4 to tie the series at 1-1. less

The Houston Astros team swarms Bill Spiers (C) after he hit the game winning single in the bottom of the ninth against the San Diego Padres October 1, 1998 in game two of the Division series against the San ... more

Randy Johnson of the Houston Astros throws a pitch in the first inning September 29, 1998 against the San Diego Padres in game one of the Division Series at the Houston Astro Dome in Houston. The Padres won the game 2-1. less

Randy Johnson of the Houston Astros throws a pitch in the first inning September 29, 1998 against the San Diego Padres in game one of the Division Series at the Houston Astro Dome in Houston. The Padres won the ... more

Photo: JEFF HAYNES, AFP/Getty Images

Randy Johnson of the Houston Astros throws a pitch in the first... Photo-5585396.75905 - Houston Chronicle

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Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros reacts to striking out during game four of the National League Divisional Series against the Atlanta Braves October 9, 1999 at the Astrodome in Houston. The Braves won the game 7-5 to win the best of five game series 3-1 to advance to the NLCS against the New York Mets. less

Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros reacts to striking out during game four of the National League Divisional Series against the Atlanta Braves October 9, 1999 at the Astrodome in Houston. The Braves won the ... more

Jose Lima #42 of the Houston Astros celebrates his 20th win of the season as he carries his baby off the field after a game against the Chicago Cubs at the Astrodome in Houston. The Astros defeated the Cubs 5-3. less

Jose Lima #42 of the Houston Astros celebrates his 20th win of the season as he carries his baby off the field after a game against the Chicago Cubs at the Astrodome in Houston. The Astros defeated the Cubs ... more